Casimero ready to defend IBF crown versus Mexican

MANILA, Philippines - International Boxing Federation (IBF) light-flyweight king Johnreil Casimero said he has Mexican challenger Felipe Salguero all figured out.

“I have seen him fight and I know what he does best,” said Casimero, 23, who will be making his third defense of the IBF 108-lb crown tonight in a Manny Pacquiao-promoted show at the Makati Coliseum.

Admission is free.

Casimero said Salguero, making his second fight in the country, “loves to throw lots of combinations.”

During yesterday’s official weigh-in at the Ace Hotel and Suites, the official residence of the promotion, Casimero (18-2- with 10 KOs) tipped the scales at 108 lbs, while Salguero (18-4 with 13 KOs) also came in at 108 lbs.

    But Casimero had to shed off excess pounds after coming in one and half lbs over in his first trip to the scales.

Told about Casimero’s boast that he is ready to repulse his challenge, Salguero countered that Casimero will be in for a shock in their scheduled 12-rounder backed by Ace Hotel and Suites, Ace Water Spa and LBC.

“I did not travel all the way from Mexico to lose,” said Salguero.

Casimero is one of only three current Filipino world champions with the Leyte-bred boxer vowing to frustrate Salguero.

Top Rank big boss Bob Arum, who visited Pacquiao in his General Santos City training camp, will be at ringside to grace event Pacquiao himself is staging as a treat to his fans.